MINUTES

Mansfield Advisory Committee

on Persons with Disabilities

Regular Meeting - Tuesday October 28, 2008

2:30 PM - Conference Room B - Audrey P. Beck Building

I. Recording Attendance: K. Grunwald (staff), W. Gibbs, J. Blanshard, K.A. Easley (staff), Curt Vincente (guest), C. Colon-Semenza, J. Sidney, J. Tanner, J. Kelleher.

II. Approval of the Minutes for the Meeting, September 23, 2008: J. Sidney suggested changing the term “handicap” to accessible in reference to parking. Also, correct the spelling of “Clemenza”. Minutes accepted with those corrections.

III. New Business (other added by majority vote)

a. Welcome new member: Jacqui Kelleher introduced herself to committee members and stated that she is excited to be a part of this committee.

b. Welcome Sgt. James Kodzis, Resident State Trooper: not present

c. Discussion re: accessible parking violators: K. Grunwald shared Sgt. Kodzis’ concerns about citizen enforcement. There was a discussion regarding strategies to address the issue of violators, including posting fines on signs. A question was raised regarding changing signage to include the fines; who would assume the cost? C. Vincente suggested checking w/Planning and Zoning re: signage requirements. A question was also raised about why accessible spaces are not closest to the Community Center: C. Vincente explained that this was a Planning and Zoning decision. K. Grunwald will contact Greg Padick on behalf of this committee re: the possibility of changing the location of those spaces. He will be invited to the next meeting along with someone from Planning & Zoning Commission.

d. Post Office accessibility issues (J. Tanner): both Storrs and Mansfield Center Post Offices have multiple doors and obstacles to accessibility. Some questions were raised about ADA requirements. J. Kelleher indicated that there are funds available to improve access to public buildings. She also indicated that if a complaint is filed they would have to pursue this. The complaint goes to Boston as a civil rights complaint; also the Office of Protection and Advocacy. She will provide more information about this process.

e. Medical office accessibility issues (J. Sidney): she was surprised when she saw someone at a medical office at Ledgebrook Drive and discovered that she could not get upstairs for her appointment. She also finds that some of the accessible parking in that complex is not van accessible. Agreement that we should start with Planning and Zoning to determine what role they are playing.

f. “Other”: request Bill Hammon will be invited to attend the next meeting to discuss placement of the emergency pull cord in the Community Center bathroom.

IV. Old Business

a. Election of Committee Chair: J. Sidney and J. Blanshard have been suggested as Co-Chairs of this committee; they declined. Wade Gibbs was nominated and seconded as Chair; voted in unanimously.

b. Discussion re: a web page for this committee (W. Gibbs): W. Gibbs has contacted Jaime Russell re: ideas for the page. He and K. Grunwald will pursue this with the IT Department.

c. Status of issues raised at the last meeting:

· Kayaks: They are currently stored at the Community Center. The Health District is looking into purchasing a two-person kayak. Parks and Rec. staff are looking at having one or two events a year where the kayaks would be transported.

· Criteria for admission to the pre-school program: K. Grunwald discussed this with Rachel Leclerc, who explained that the program is for children with a diagnosed learning disability. J. Kelleher indicated that there may be regulations that address eligibility for children with other disabilities She will follow-up with Christine.

· Parking at River Park: C. Vincente stated that the location of the accessible spaces was mandated by Planning and Zoning. He has added increased marking for the spots.

· Use of the accessible dressing room at the Community Center: C. Vincente explained that keying the dressing room raises logistical issues around return of the key, staffing, etc. We have been looking for grant opportunities to improve another dressing room. The Community Center will put signage in the dressing room as well. This committee will have an article in the next newsletter on accessibility issues at the Community Center.

d. Funding opportunities for accessibility improvements: no new information on this; M. Capriola is pursuing this.

e. Status of accessibility issues previously identified: no discussion.

V. Adjournment: meeting adjourned at 3:37 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Grunwald